Activity 1.1.

2 Simple Machines Practice

Problems
Introduction
In the last activity, building and using simple machines and making measurements of
forces and distances gave you concrete examples using mechanisms. Just from a
good sketch, however, an engineer can deduce how a mechanism will transform
forces and distances from input to output -- from effort to resistance. Making a good
sketch of a mechanism and making accurate predictions based on your sketch of a
mechanism are great problem solving skills that will help you design mechanisms for
a particular task.

Procedure
Answer the following questions regarding simple machine systems. Each question
requires proper illustration and annotation, including labeling of forces, distances,
direction, and unknown values. Illustrations should consist of basic simple machine
functional sketches rather than realistic pictorials. Be sure to document all solution
steps and proper units.
All problem calculations should assume ideal conditions and no friction loss.
Simple Machines Lever
A first class lever in static equilibrium has a 50-lb resistance force and 15-lb effort
force. The levers effort force is located 4 ft from the fulcrum.
1. Sketch and annotate the lever system described above.

2. What is the actual mechanical advantage of the system?

Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

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3. Using static equilibrium calculations, calculate the length from the fulcrum to the
resistance force.
Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

A wheel barrow is used to lift a 200-lb load. The length from the center of the wheel
to the center of the load is 2 ft. The length from the wheel to the effort is 5 ft.
4. Illustrate and annotate the lever system described above.

5. What is the ideal mechanical advantage of the system?

Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

6. Using static equilibrium calculations, calculate the ideal effort force needed to
overcome the resistance force in the system.
Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

A medical technician uses a pair of four-inch-long tweezers to remove a wood sliver

from a patient. The technician is applying 1 lb of squeezing force to the tweezers. If
more than 1/5 lb of force is applied to the sliver, it will break and become difficult to
remove.
7. Sketch and annotate the lever system described above.

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8. What is the actual mechanical advantage of the system?

Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

9. Using static equilibrium calculations, calculate how far from the fulcrum the
tweezers must be held to avoid damaging the sliver.
Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

Simple Machines Wheel and Axle

10. What is the linear distance traveled in one revolution of a 36-in.-diameter wheel?
Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

An industrial water shutoff valve is designed to operate with 30 lb of effort force. The
valve will encounter 200 lb of resistance force applied to a 1.5-in.-diameter axle.
11. Sketch and annotate the wheel and axle system described above.

12. What is the required actual mechanical advantage of the system?

Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

13. What is the required wheel diameter to overcome the resistance force?
Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

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Simple Machines Pulley System

Several times during a day, a construction crew lifts approximately 560 lb of material
from a flatbed truck to a 32-ft rooftop. A block and tackle system with 50 lb of effort
force is designed to lift the materials.
14. What is the required actual mechanical advantage?
Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

15. How many supporting strands will be needed in the pulley system?
Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

A block and tackle system with nine supporting strands is used to lift a metal lathe in
a manufacturing facility. The motor being used to wind the cable in the pulley system
can provide 100 lb of force.
16. What is the mechanical advantage of the system?
Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

17. What is the maximum weight of the lathe?

Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

Simple Machines Inclined Plane

A civil engineer must design a wheelchair-accessible ramp next to a set of steps
leading up to a building. The height from the ground to the top of the stairs is 2 ft.
Based on ADA codes, the slope must be 1:12 or less. Slope is equal to the rise of
the ramp divided by the run of the ramp.

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18. Sketch and annotate the inclined plane described above.

19. Using the ADA code, what is the allowable minimum length of the ramp base?
Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

20. Using the known height and calculated base length, what is the length of the slope
of the ramp?
Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

21. What is the ideal mechanical advantage of the ramp?

Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

22. If a person and wheelchair have a combined weight of 185 lb, how much ideal
effort force is required to travel up the ramp?
Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

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Simple Machines Wedge

A hydraulic shear applies a 2000 lb force to a wedge. It is used to shear plate steel
to rough size. The shear has a 1/4-inch-thick cutting blade with a 45 slope. (Note:
45, 45, 90 triangle)
23. Sketch and annotate the wedge described above.

24. What is the length of the slope?

Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

25. What is the ideal mechanical advantage of the wedge?

Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

Simple Machines Screw

A 7/16 nut driver with a 1 1/2-inch-diameter handle is used to install a 1/4-20 UNC
bolt into a robotic arm.
26. Sketch and annotate the screw system described above.

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27. Determine the circumference where the effort is applied.

Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

28. Determine the pitch of the screw.

Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

29. What is the mechanical advantage gained in the system?

Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

30. How much force can ideally be overcome if 5 lb of force is exerted?

Formula

Substitute / Solve

Final Answer

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